Carrying on the list-making tradition is Paul Dickson, who has a Guinness world record (he also held the previous one) for the most synonyms for being blotto: 2,964. All the entries are in Dickson's new book, Drunk: The Definitive Drinker's Dictionary (Melville House; $19.95), which includes inspired and often very funny illustrations by Brian Rea.

Dickson, a consulting editor for Merriam-Webster, cautions that "in no way is this work intended as a celebration of a serious social illness which accounts for tremendous pain to many, but rather as a celebration of the English language and all its euphemistic splendor."

Herewith, a selection of entries, one for each letter of the alphabet: